Diversity In Food and Beverage

07/30/2021

Today is the International Day of Friendship! Proclaimed by the United Nations this world-wide day of friendship was established as a way to heal against our many challenges, crises and forces of division.

With goals to promote a culture of peace, social development, equality, human rights and so much more this is a great day to spend cherishing your friends and to make new friends!

Show your appreciation in any way you can. Our camaraderie builds bridges between communities of different cultures and countries as well as individuals. Celebrate by meeting your friends for dinner or happy hour, give them a call on the phone or through video chat, or send a thoughtful text, card or gift!

07/28/2021

While lack of diversity and inclusion is not a new problem within the beverage industry, last year's Black Lives Matter movement has started the rumblings of change. To really move forward here, though, we need to stay committed and active to supporting racial diversity within our workforce. Lauren Eads of Spirit Business offers us 6 ways the drinks industry can support racial diversity, giving us all doable actions for your business and workspace.

Here's a very quick overview for you!
1) Educate & Acknowledge
2) Create outlets for discussion
3) Recognize any unconscious bias
4) Consider scholarships, training schemes or grants
5) Examine your supply chain
6) Keep your brand values under constant review

Click the link below for a more in-depth view to what you can do, and the movements already started!

07/27/2021

Today is ! Let's start with the question: what is scotch? Scotch is an aged whisky distilled from malted barley that follows specific guidelines when being made.

Scotch MUST be made in Scotland. While other grains may be included, malted barley may be used as the only fermented grain. Scotch must be aged in oak barrels for at least three years. Lastly, the ABV of Scotch must be less than 94.8% precisely.

Check out Liquor.com's Best 13 Scotch Whiskies to drink this year at the link below so you can celebrate with the best sip of the year.

http://ow.ly/kHJA50FEUXM

The GlenDronach Aberfeldy Single Malt Scotch Whisky Bowmore Single Malt Whisky Glenfarclas Lagavulin Laphroaig Compass Box Glenmorangie Torabhaig Distillery Talisker Speyburn Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Scotch whiskies are typically made of barley and are produced in Scotland. We researched the best bottles of this spirit, from blended scotches to single malts.

07/23/2021

Today's Fierce Friday Feature is Julia Coney and the Black Wine Professionals. Black Wine Professionals was founded by Coney to lift up the multifaceted Black professionals in the world of wine. Coney herself is a Texas-based wine writer, educator, speaker, and consultant.

Black Wine Professionals provides scholarships to Master-Level certifications, resources for education, as well as a list of professionals. Professionals are listed in over 10 different capacities from sommeliers to distributors to marketing and PR. Applications to be listed are open until July 31st, but the lists can be viewed at any time. Check out the Black Wine Professionals website for more!

http://ow.ly/NSor50FALjr

07/22/2021

Celebrating International ! Shiraz is one of Australia’s most established and loved varieties. Enjoy the day with an easy-drinking, fruity Shiraz🍷 and pair it with casual fares like BBQ ribs!

07/21/2021

Word on the Grapevine is looking for ways to push new life into wine events in the UK. "A Fresh Take on Wine Events Could Supercharge Industry Diversity" mentions lack of diversity not just in race, but in age as well. The article mentions "wine events are generally stuffy affairs suited more to older wine drinkers," and suggests a fresh take on events to help achieve long-term diversity goals and improve outreach to under-served ethnic groups.

Compared to beer taprooms with their range of beers, food stands, and music, wine events are more of a traditional formal event and are lacking their more diverse audience. While the article understands the place for educating, they want to push the possibility of events for fun and exploration. COVID has given the opportunity to breathe new life into the wine industry and capture new audiences. Read the full article with the link below!

Diversity is a complex and multifaceted subject. Though there remains work to be done, the wine industry should proceed optimistically. The most recent diversity survey, albeit not rigorously controlled, places the share of white employees in the UK wine trade at around 86%, slightly below the popul...

07/20/2021

It's no surprise to anyone that the beer brewing industry is overwhelmingly white and male. However, recently, Notch Brewing's Brienne Allan has brought a revelation of the female experience in craft brew. Rife with sexism from customers, peers, and employers alike, Allan's initial post led to sweeping calls for change throughout the industry.

These issues are not a new concept for the American Brewing industry. In the past, civil rights organizations intervened with lawsuits, forcing breweries to diversify their workforces in the 70s and 80s. Boycotts also "invited consumers to join the fight, and placed significant pressure on the breweries' bottom lines." Allyson P. Brantley says in her Washington Post article "The Solution to the Craft Beer Industry's Sexism and Diversity Problems".

Brantley's article gives some ideas as to how we can help join the recent fight for equality for women, historically underrepresented individuals, and the LGBTQ+ community, so give it a read with the link below! Also, check out Women of the Bevolution for current updates.

07/19/2021

Today is National Daiquiri Day, so break out those blenders and let's make a fresh one!

Daiquiris are made with 2 parts rum, 1 part lime juice, and a bit of sugar syrup. Add some fresh fruit and crushed ice to a blender and make a fruity frozen daiquiri for these hot July days!

What's your favorite daiquiri flavor? Let us know in the comments!

07/16/2021

Today our Fierce Friday Feature is every person with a disability. That's right - it's Disability Pride Month and we are here to celebrate everyone's uniqueness and diversity!

Boston celebrated the first disability pride parade in 1990 when the Americans with Disabilities Act was founded. In 2015, Disability Pride Month was declared in NYC to celebrate the ADA's 25th anniversary.

Disabled individuals makeup 15% of the world's population, but are highly underrepresented. Disabilities are often seen as a "defect", but it's time to get rid of that notion. This month, we're not just celebrating the strides made 30 years ago, but the things that make us special and one of a kind!

This year, many parades are going virtual. So sign up and view the in Chicago, Pennsylvania, or with the . Check out what is happening near you, and attend an event with !

07/15/2021

The spirits world is just starting to see the rumble of change about representation, and lack thereof. Gabrielle Nicole Pharms notes in her article "In 2020, Diversity Took Center Stage In The Spirits Industry" some positive changes, and interviews some notable underrepresented spirit makers about their thoughts moving forward.

As Jackie Summers of says, "The industry is beginning to listen." While their ears are opening, the spirits industry still needs a push to get the ball rolling on actual change. This sentiment is reiterated by Eboni Major and Sean Edwards of . Summers reminds us, "There are two parts to this game. There's what you do that everyone sees and then it's what you do privately." Edwards advocates placing importance on hiring practices, and Major prompts us to hold people accountable, and seek diversity in the industry.

With brands like , , and it's a great time to support spirit makers of color, and try to get even more out there!

http://ow.ly/4NJX50Fw4zV

07/14/2021

Here at Diversity in Food and Beverage, we're working to transform the international hospitality community by implementing global diversity and inclusion initiatives! We offer a wide range of tools to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable hospitality industry by providing scholarships and grants, resources geared toward leadership and professional development, as well as consulting services for businesses.

We believe engagement is a critical aspect of building a sustainable culture of diversity and inclusion. So grab a seat at our table, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and never miss what we're doing to change the industry!

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